Category: Highlight

  • SsangYong reveals pair of SUVs as US investors eye stake in struggling brand

    It was only last December that Korean SUV brand SsangYong underwent a restructuring after failing to pay back creditors. Fast forward to today and the company is teasing a pair of rugged SUVs as its parent company Mahindra and Mahindra seeks a buyer for a majority stake.

    The SUVs include the Jeep Wrangler-esque X200 and battery-electric J100. Both feature a new, much tougher look cultivated under SsangYong’s Powered by Toughness design language.

    Details are lacking but SsangYong has mentioned a 2022 production start date for the J100. The company also said that a pickup body style for the J100 is on the drawing board.

    The company also plans to launch an electric version of its existing Korando crossover shortly.

    A potential bid for a controlling stake in SsangYong may come from U.S.-based Cardinal One Motors, which was born out of the remains of HAAH Automotive Holdings after it went bankrupt earlier this year. HAAH had planned to import Chinese vehicles to the U.S. but the plans were scuttled after steep tariffs on Chinese vehicles were introduced under the Trump administration. In contrast, Korean vehicles benefit from a free-trade agreement with the U.S. Stay tuned.

    Source

  • The final Bugatti Divo has been built and delivered

    Bugatti on Thursday confirmed that the last of 40 Divo hypercars has been built and delivered.

    Built for a customer in Europe, the final Divo is finished in EB 110 LM Blue with Dark Blue carbon and matte gold metallic wheels. The interior has a similar combination of French Racing Blue and Deep Blue upholstery, with matte gray carbon trim.

    Named for French racing driver Albert Divo, the $5.8 million hypercar is based on the Chiron platform but features unique bodywork designed to emphasize handling, rather than top speed.

    A combination of lower weight (-77 pounds), higher downforce (+198 pounds), and greater lateral acceleration ( a maximum 1.6g) allowed the Divo to lap Italy’s Nardo handling circuit a full 8.0 seconds quicker than the Chiron, according to Bugatti, despite the two cars having the same 1,480-hpoutput. The Divo was also spotted testing at Nürburgring last year, but Bugatti never published a lap time.

    The final Bugatti Divo

    The final Bugatti Divo

    The Divo was unveiled in 2018 during Monterey Car Week, but customer deliveries didn’t start until August 2020, in part due to coronavirus-related delays. Bugatti also needed to do more development work between the unveiling and the start of production.

    Development of the Divo opened the door for additional limited-edition Bugatti models based on the Chiron, including the La Voiture Noire and Centodieci, as well as the track-focused Chiron Pur Sport.

    With the Divo project complete, Bugatti will turn to a more extreme limited-edition track car. With 1,824 hp and a 2,733-pound curb weight, the Bugatti Bolide will be able to do 0-62 mph in 2.17 seconds and potentially lap the Nürburgring in less than six minutes. Just like that, the Divo is yesterday’s news.

    Source

  • 2022 Audi RS 3, 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS, 2023 Chevy Corvette Z06: This Week’s Top Photos

    Audi revealed its redesigned 2022 RS 3 compact performance sedan this week. The new car represents only an evolution of its predecessor, but customers can look forward to more power, a more sophisticated drivetrain, and a drift mode.

    2022 Audi RS Q E-Tron Dakar Rally contender

    2022 Audi RS Q E-Tron Dakar Rally contender

    The brand with the four rings also revealed a wild extended-range electric SUV designed for the Dakar Rally. The SUV, whose first season will be 2022, is being entered in the grueling event to stress test new electric-vehicle technology destined for Audi’s future road cars.

    2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS first drive (EQS 450+)

    2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS first drive (EQS 450+)

    Mercedes-Benz has reached a major turning point with the launch of its first dedicated EV, the 2022 EQS. The big hatch is due in showrooms this fall with a 108-kilowatt-hour battery, and we’ve just driven it.

    2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S wagon

    2021 Mercedes-Benz AMG E63 S wagon

    Another Mercedes we tested this week was the 2021 Mercedes AMG E63 S wagon. A wagon may seem geeky, but the recently updated AMG deals out thrilling power and performance.

    2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392

    2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392

    We also tested the 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 again, and are still left wondering whether a vehicle like this should really be this fast. Then again, it delivers on every marketable promise with its big knobby tires, loud V-8 burble, and ridiculous off-road capability.

    2022 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 spy shots - Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

    2022 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

    Chevrolet this week finally confirmed a new Z06 based on the C8 Corvette. It’s coming for the 2023 model year and will almost certainly pack a naturally aspirated V-8 with a flat-plane crank and over 600 hp.

    Pininfarina Battista client spec

    Pininfarina Battista client spec

    And finally, Pininfarina showed off the first client spec for its upcoming Battista electric hypercar. Apparently it takes its inspiration from New York City.

    Source